Schwarzheide — Lower Lusatia All Around

In a town that has dedicated itself to industry, it seems only fitting that Schwarzheide’s landmark is a feat of German engineering — a watertower built in the 1940s.

It wasn’t without controversy, however, since it was built by prisoners of war back in 1943. Over at the BASF Plant there’s a memorial to other forced laborers from World War II; and yet another at the Cemetery Chapel.

Yes, it seems like a lot of memorials — and rightfully fitting as a satellite camp of two Concentration Camps were located here from 1944 to the end of the war in 1945.

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Over the course of the last seven decades Schwarzheide’s population has decreased — too bad, but that just means there’s more room for me and you. Think of it this way… the Ferdinandsteich, or Ferdinand Pond, won’t be jam-packed with people then. ;-)

I make jokes, of course, but that Schwarzheide’s sights aren’t a laughing matter. They are, however, quite pretty and informative. Stop by the Luther Memorial on the Village Green on your way to the half-timbered Luther Church from 1755. And don’t forget to visit the Heritage Museum (also on the Village Green, known as the Dorfaue) and the BASF Culture Centre that’s another museum.

You’ll learn how Schwarzheide used to be known as Zschornegosda, and all about how Lower Sorbian is spoken all around the region. It is, after all, in Lower Lusatia. And if all you do is hike around Schwarzheide it won’t be a total loss, since the region is quite pretty.

Schwarzheide, by the way, isn’t anywhere near the capital (some 110km away), so hiking there is probably out of the question. But, you’re only about 40km from Dresden (and two towns over from the Saxony border) — so if you’re ambitious, consider it only a bike ride away.

There isn’t too much else I can tell you about Schwarzheide, other than you should stop by the Christ Church at Otto-Straße 5, or maybe a walk along the River Pößnitz while you’re here.